1900 India: Surprise attack on Nashik seminarian baffles staff
austraLasia #1900

Surprise attack on Nashik seminarian baffles seminary staff

MUMBAI: 10th July 2007 -- A surprise attack on a young Salesian seminarian at Nashik, in Maharashta state, has not only left the 24 year old in hospital, but has baffled the Rector and staff at the seminary.  The incident occurred on 8th July.  The seminarian was making a visit to the village of Chandsi to conduct programs for village youth, something he had been doing for about a year, when he was set upon by some eight as yet unidentified young men who 'came from nowhere and attacked him from behind', according to the Rector, Fr Ashley Miranda.
    The seminarian was not alone - two of them had set out for the village, but one had stopped to repair his bicycle change.  The other rode ahead, and that was when the attack occurred.  The injured seminarian was taken to hospital where he received a number of stitches.  He had been beaten with hockey sticks and cricket stumps.
    The seminary at Nashik has been in existence for some 30 years.  Currently there are 56 students of philosophy and 17 novices in residence. Relationships with local villages have been excellent, although the Salesians in the city are sensitive to the fact that Nashik is a centre of Hindu pilgrimage.  The activity in the villages does not involve evangelisation but teaching of English, personality development skills, games with the children.
    Mumbai Provincial, Fr Ivo Coelho, has expressed his concern at the attack and has indicated that the matter is in the hands of the police. It would seem that no youths from Chandsi village were involved. The seminarian is recovering from his injuries.

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